Manchester to Sheffield road tunnel plans

[geared 311]

You're sending them a much longer way - you realise increasing travel times for goods/commuters/business people etc between two cities by just minutes can statistically have quite major impacts on growth of a cities economy.

 

Don't they regually get banned from the road anyway, like when there's too much wind and stuff??

 

The journey time probably isn't that much different tho, if the motorways are clear.

 

It's double the distance but they'll be doing double the speed (on average)

[altus 540]

Anyway, back on the topic of the supposed new 'surface' road and where it will go- if it ever does.

 

MOTTRAM MOOR

1. For these purposes, a “trunk road” seems to be a road maintained by HM Government usually via the Highways Agency. A “county road” is a road maintained by the Local Highway Authority: the County Council (if there is one) or else the District Council.

2. The A57 is a “trunk road” from its junction with the M67 eastwards to its junction with the A628. After that point, the A57 eastwards through Glossop is not a trunk road; it is the A628 which is then the trunk road.

3. The proposed new link as shown on the A-Z map (newest edition) for Manchester will begin at the roundabout where the A57 meets the M67. It will then run north-eastwards across Roe Cross Road, to a new junction in fields atop a track called Coach Road.

4. From the new Coach Road junction, there will be two new roads branching north-eastwards and branching southwards.

5. The north-eastern branch runs north of Thorncliff and then towards Tintwistle, north of the filter beds. It is roughly parallel to the A628. It eventually intercepts the A628 (not sue where, as it’s off the map).

6. The southern branch runs across the A57 Mottram Moor, then turns east (north of Carr House) to the A57 Woolley Bridge just to the north of the boundary between Thameside MDC (Greater Manchester) and High Peak (Derbyshire).

7. Manchester-bound traffic will therefore join the new roads:

a (if using the A628 ) at the Coach Road junction; or

b (if using the A57) at the Woolley Bridge junction.

 

OpenStreetMap has the route described above.

[geared 311]

OpenStreetMap has the route described above.

 

They've been arguing over that route for ages.

 

The people in the local community are crying out for it, but everytime they get close to a solution something jams up the works.

 

If it's not funding it's some tree-hugging hippie morons who object to building work.

[AndrewC 307]

Don't they regually get banned from the road anyway, like when there's too much wind and stuff??

 

Which is relatively common I guess, but not all year round. And when they are, that will effect the economic activity between Sheffield and Manchester. So it may happen, but the point is still that it's not something you would want as a permanent arrangement.

 

The journey time probably isn't that much different tho, if the motorways are clear.

 

It's double the distance but they'll be doing double the speed (on average)

 

I imagine it isn't too much difference then, no, but still probably quicker using the snake/woodhead, other wise it wouldn't be used by HGVs now!

[Longcol 600]

Anyway, back on the topic of the supposed new 'surface' road and where it will go- if it ever does.

 

MOTTRAM MOOR

1. For these purposes, a “trunk road” seems to be a road maintained by HM Government usually via the Highways Agency. A “county road” is a road maintained by the Local Highway Authority: the County Council (if there is one) or else the District Council.

2. The A57 is a “trunk road” from its junction with the M67 eastwards to its junction with the A628. After that point, the A57 eastwards through Glossop is not a trunk road; it is the A628 which is then the trunk road.

3. The proposed new link as shown on the A-Z map (newest edition) for Manchester will begin at the roundabout where the A57 meets the M67. It will then run north-eastwards across Roe Cross Road, to a new junction in fields atop a track called Coach Road.

4. From the new Coach Road junction, there will be two new roads branching north-eastwards and branching southwards.

5. The north-eastern branch runs north of Thorncliff and then towards Tintwistle, north of the filter beds. It is roughly parallel to the A628. It eventually intercepts the A628 (not sue where, as it’s off the map).

6. The southern branch runs across the A57 Mottram Moor, then turns east (north of Carr House) to the A57 Woolley Bridge just to the north of the boundary between Thameside MDC (Greater Manchester) and High Peak (Derbyshire).

7. Manchester-bound traffic will therefore join the new roads:

a (if using the A628 ) at the Coach Road junction; or

b (if using the A57) at the Woolley Bridge junction.

 

Identical to the route that was last proposed (and abandoned in 2009 following a public enquiry),

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longdendale_Bypass#mediaviewer/File:Longdendale_Bypass_Map.PNG

 

although not sure if "new" proposal includes the tunnel under Roe Cross Road that was in the previous one or if they're going to demolish houses there.

[biotechpete 10]

IIRC the main problem with the abandonment of the old scheme was the section crossing the wood around Tintwistle. The new scheme doesn't have this spur only the A57 bit from Wooley Bridge then the bit around Mottram.

[Longcol 600]

IIRC the main problem with the abandonment of the old scheme was the section crossing the wood around Tintwistle. The new scheme doesn't have this spur only the A57 bit from Wooley Bridge then the bit around Mottram.

 

Won't that mean that Woodhead traffic would still use Mottram Moor and only Snake traffic would by-pass Mottram?

[dutch 68]

 

Only 80% you do have a rosy outlook on things.

 

If it isn't at least twice the initial price and a decade late I think I might eat my socks.

 

Yes you are right. Tried to be careful and conservative about that estimate but can say with certainty that HS2 estimates are a joke and they will try new technology that will fail and ruin the project as well.

[DnAuK 10]

IF they are going to put a tunnel in then surely there must be a case for HS3 between Sheffield and Manchester as well as Leeds and Manchester?

[geared 311]

I imagine it isn't too much difference then, no, but still probably quicker using the snake/woodhead, other wise it wouldn't be used by HGVs now!

 

It's quicker on GPS I think thats what swings it for most drivers.

When you consider the amount of time wasted sitting in the Traffic around Tintwhistle, Hollingworth, Mottram tho it might not be so fast.

 

During rush hour it's anyone's guess tho, the M62 can be rammed for miles if some pillock decides to have a crash.

[rockonvynil 10]

And that is a reason for not building them because...?

never mentioned not improving the road

[Tyranna 10]

Just announced today as part of the government Road investment strategy:

 

"a study into the feasibility of building a trans-Pennine tunnel to address the strategic gap between Sheffield and Manchester, that would transform capacity and reduce congestion while still preserving the tranquillity of the Peak District"

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/major-roads-investment-in-the-north-east-and-yorkshire

 

Wonder where this would run to/from?

 

I would guess somewhere at the end of the reservoirs before the A57 starts climbing ?

 

And would pop out near Glossop but presumably with a new link road to the M67 to miss out Mottram.

 

Back of a fag packet calculation = £ 2 billion. Will Never Happen.

 

 

Nice idea; the Sheffield-Manchester route is very poorly served when it comes to direct road links; the only alternatives seem to be the treacherous A57 or going the long way round via Leeds and the M62.

 

A tunnel under the Pennines is the real dream ticket and could allow the national park area to become more traffic-free, but the cost would be enormous. Some kind of 'all weather route' concealing as much as possible of the road from the environment and the elements might be worked out though. Then there is also the disused woodhead rail tunnel which could be linked to the rail network and returned to rail use as the 'High Speed 3' North route instead of building any new tracks/bridges/tunnels etc.